[[Image:DSC the favorite.jpg|thumb|250px|Rafting in the Yoshinogawa River]]

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[[Image:DSC the favorite.jpg|thumb|250px|print=lead|Rafting in the Yoshino River]]

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'''Ōboke''' (大歩危) and '''Koboke''' (小歩危) are in central [[Shikoku]], [[Japan]].

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'''Ōboke''' (大歩危) and '''Koboke''' (小歩危) mean, respectively, "big steps dangerous" and "small steps dangerous" &mdash; an apt description of the perils of traversing through these steep gorges on foot.

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==Understand==

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The lyrical names of Oboke and Koboke have given rise to much comment over the years: respectively, they mean "big steps dangerous" and "small steps dangerous", an apt description of the perils of traversing through these steep gorges on foot.

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==Get in==

==Get in==

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These days the main danger in travelling to Oboke and Koboke is not wanting to leave.

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===By train===

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The JR Dosan Line from [[Kochi]] to [[Takamatsu]] via [[Ikeda]] stops at both Koboke and Oboke.

===By road===

===By road===

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National Highway 32 winds its way along the Yoshino river through the pristine valley. Coming from [[Osaka]], [[Kobe]] or [[Tokushima]], take the expressway from Tokushima and exit at Ikeda. Then follow route 32 towards Kochi for about 20 kilometres to Oboke.

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It is recommended to travel in this area by car. If you get there by train, you'll have a long walk along a noisy road without sidewalks. It is also hard to find entry points for hiking trails without a car. Unfortunately, the nearest car rentals are located quite far away: [[Marugame]], [[Takamatsu]], and [[Tokushima]].

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A tunnel also connects Oboke to the western [[Iya Valley]] (4 buses per day).

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National Highway 32 winds along the Yoshino River through the pristine valley. Coming from [[Osaka]], [[Kobe]] or Tokushima, take the expressway and exit at Ikeda. Then follow route 32 towards Kochi for about 20 kilometers to Oboke.

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==Get around==

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A tunnel also connects Oboke to the western [[Iya Valley]].

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Both Oboke and Koboke have train stations.

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===By train===

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Both Oboke and Koboke have stations on the JR Dosan Line from [[Kochi (Shikoku)|Kochi]] to [[Takamatsu]] via [[Ikeda (Tokushima)|Ikeda]]. Stops in Koboke are rare, though.

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===By bus===

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Buses to the Iya Valley run sparsely, especially on weekdays (around 2 per day).

==See & Do==

==See & Do==

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There's one main reason to come to Oboke and Koboke: the '''rapids''' rushing through the gorge below. There are observation platforms on the highway and near the train stations if you're content to gaze from a distance, but more daring types will venture down onto the Yoshinogawa River for a sightseeing cruise (&yen;2000 for a one-hour loop), and more adventurous types yet will try their hand at '''white-water rafting''' in the class 4 rapids. The rapids are Japan`s biggest and most exciting with amazing rock formations and crystal clear waters all adding up to make a must-do adventure.

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There's one big reason to visit: the '''rapids''' rushing through the gorge below. There are observation platforms on the highway and near the train stations if you're content to gaze from a distance, but more daring types will venture down onto the Yoshino River for a sightseeing cruise (&yen;2000 for a one-hour loop), and more adventurous types yet will try their hand at '''white-water rafting''' in the class 4 rapids. The rapids are Japan's biggest and most exciting, with amazing rock formations and crystal clear waters.

If you survive the experience without developing acute hydrophobia, both Oboke and Koboke have ''onsen'' '''hot springs''' offering more bubbling water to soak in.

If you survive the experience without developing acute hydrophobia, both Oboke and Koboke have ''onsen'' '''hot springs''' offering more bubbling water to soak in.

==Buy==

==Buy==

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* '''Boke-Mart''', near Oboke station. A normal grocery store, but probably the best place to stock up before heading into [[Iya Valley]].

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* '''Boke-Mart''' is a normal grocery store, but probably the best place to stock up before heading into Iya Valley. It's near JR Oboke Station.

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==Eat==

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==Eat & Drink==

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In Oboke, Koboke and the Iya Valley you can try a delicious river fish salted and barbequed on a stick. The fish are called ''ayu'' and ''amego'' and are pretty good. Iya Valley is also famous for soba noodles, but they're not nearly as good as the udon in Kagawa.

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The local specialties are ''ayu'' and ''amego'', delicious river fish salted and barbecued on a stick.

* '''Ku-Nel-Asob''' (空音遊 ''Kūneruasobu''), tel. 090-9778-7133, [http://www.k-n-a.com/]. A new hostel in Oboke where guests stay for 2000yen per night plus extra for using the kitchen, the name means literally "eat, sleep and have fun". The owner is friendly and speaks great English.

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[[Image:Ku-Nel-Asob.JPG|thumb|right|Inside Ku-Nel-Asob]]

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* <sleep name="Ku-Nel-Asob" alt="空音遊 Kūneruasobu" address="" directions="" phone="+81 090-9778-7133" email="" fax="" url="http://www.k-n-a.com" checkin="" checkout="" price="&yen;2600"> A new hostel in Oboke &mdash; the name means literally "eat, sleep and have fun". The owner is friendly and speaks great English. And the onsen, at a hotel, has outdoor baths that over look the river.</sleep>

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==Get out==

==Get out==

* [[Iya Valley]], with more scenic views and some great hiking too, is just across the tunnel from Oboke.

* [[Iya Valley]], with more scenic views and some great hiking too, is just across the tunnel from Oboke.

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<!--WEB-END-->

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{{isIn|Shikoku}}

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{{IsPartOf|Tokushima (prefecture)}}

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[[wtp:Hiroshima]]

Revision as of 11:48, 30 April 2012

Rafting in the Yoshino River

Ōboke (大歩危) and Koboke (小歩危) mean, respectively, "big steps dangerous" and "small steps dangerous" — an apt description of the perils of traversing through these steep gorges on foot.

Contents

Get in

By road

It is recommended to travel in this area by car. If you get there by train, you'll have a long walk along a noisy road without sidewalks. It is also hard to find entry points for hiking trails without a car. Unfortunately, the nearest car rentals are located quite far away: Marugame, Takamatsu, and Tokushima.

National Highway 32 winds along the Yoshino River through the pristine valley. Coming from Osaka, Kobe or Tokushima, take the expressway and exit at Ikeda. Then follow route 32 towards Kochi for about 20 kilometers to Oboke.

By train

Both Oboke and Koboke have stations on the JR Dosan Line from Kochi to Takamatsu via Ikeda. Stops in Koboke are rare, though.

By bus

Buses to the Iya Valley run sparsely, especially on weekdays (around 2 per day).

See & Do

There's one big reason to visit: the rapids rushing through the gorge below. There are observation platforms on the highway and near the train stations if you're content to gaze from a distance, but more daring types will venture down onto the Yoshino River for a sightseeing cruise (¥2000 for a one-hour loop), and more adventurous types yet will try their hand at white-water rafting in the class 4 rapids. The rapids are Japan's biggest and most exciting, with amazing rock formations and crystal clear waters.

If you survive the experience without developing acute hydrophobia, both Oboke and Koboke have onsenhot springs offering more bubbling water to soak in.

Buy

Boke-Mart is a normal grocery store, but probably the best place to stock up before heading into Iya Valley. It's near JR Oboke Station.

Eat & Drink

The local specialties are ayu and amego, delicious river fish salted and barbecued on a stick.

Sleep

Happy Guest House, Iwahara Otoyo-cho Kochi (1 min walk from Tosa-Iwahara station), ☎+81 0887-750-500, [2]. Overlooking the Yoshino River, the Happy Guest House is a great place to unwind, with private rooms and a self-contained kitchen.¥2500.

Inside Ku-Nel-Asob

Ku-Nel-Asob (空音遊 Kūneruasobu), ☎+81 090-9778-7133, [3]. A new hostel in Oboke — the name means literally "eat, sleep and have fun". The owner is friendly and speaks great English. And the onsen, at a hotel, has outdoor baths that over look the river.¥2600.

Get out

Iya Valley, with more scenic views and some great hiking too, is just across the tunnel from Oboke.